New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign Thursday after an independent investigation found that he violated state ethics and workplace policies, including a substantiated finding of sexual harassment. Sherrill gave Caldwell until Friday to leave office, saying the findings showed a repeated failure to meet the responsibilities of his position.

The investigation was conducted by former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino after the state’s chief ethics officer received an anonymous complaint in May. The 61-page report examined allegations involving Caldwell’s conduct toward women, his handling of a romantic relationship with a state employee and his use of state-related events.

Investigators concluded that Caldwell sexually harassed a female staffer after he had expressed interest in her younger friend. According to the report, after the staffer told Caldwell that her friend was not interested in him, he made a sexually charged comment about young women. Caldwell denied making the remark, and his attorneys have disputed the investigation’s findings.

The report also found that Caldwell repeatedly sought a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without initially disclosing that relationship. Investigators determined that the conduct violated state ethics rules governing officials’ involvement in matters concerning romantic partners. The employee was not promoted and no longer works for the state.

Investigators further found that Caldwell brought personal guests to at least seven ticketed events without following required ethics procedures for admission and reimbursement. The events included performances and public functions where tickets cost between $65 and $300. The report said Caldwell had received ethics training and had been warned about workplace and ethics requirements.

Sherrill said the findings reflected a pattern that continued despite warnings and training. She described the substantiated sexual harassment finding as “extremely troubling” and said public officials have an obligation to maintain an environment where employees can perform their duties without misconduct undermining the workplace.

Caldwell’s attorneys rejected the investigation’s conclusions, arguing that the report went beyond what the evidence established and that Caldwell was not given a sufficient opportunity to respond to each allegation. Caldwell has denied wrongdoing.

Sherrill said the investigation was initiated by the state’s chief ethics officer and conducted by a former state attorney general, calling the process thorough and impartial. She also criticized President Donald Trump in her statement, saying she would not allow misconduct to be “swept under the rug” in New Jersey.

Sherrill cannot simply remove Caldwell from the lieutenant governorship. Under New Jersey law, an elected lieutenant governor can leave office through resignation or be impeached and convicted through the state’s constitutional process. Caldwell and Sherrill, both Democrats, were elected together in November 2025.